Every year, Esquire Philippines presents Man at His Best, the local iteration of a global signature event where we celebrate extraordinary Filipino men and women reshaping society as we know it. These are the dreamers and doers who have made a profound impact on the Filipino’s way of life, who are using their talents and skills to make something of themselves and inspire the rest of us to do better with our lives.
This year, we’re honoring nine mavericks and legends in film, music, business, politics, and entertainment. Despite coming from disparate fields and industries, they all have one thing in common: all of them exemplify what it means to be a Man at His Best.
Meet Carlos Yulo, Esquire Philippines’ Man at His Best 2024 – Athlete of the Year
Joseph Pascual
“Kahit tinatamad ako, kailangan kong pumunta [sa training], kailangan kong mag-show up.”
As I was transcribing this quote from an interview with Carlos Yulo, I skipped a scheduled workout session. And the irony was not lost on me. That’s exactly what separates a world-class athlete like him from us mere mortals: the discipline, the resilience, and the unwavering commitment.
Affectionately called Caloy, the Filipino artistic gymnast made history when he bagged two gold medals at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Not only is he the first Filipino to win two Olympic gold medals, but he is also the first Southeast Asian athlete to do so. He also has several medals from the World Championships, Asian Championships, and Southeast Asian Games.
And how did he get there? By merely showing up.
Training takes place daily, with two intense three-hour sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Mornings are dedicated to apparatus work and conditioning, followed by a repeat of the same routine in the afternoon, capped off with a cool-down. On Wednesdays and Fridays, the schedule shifts to lighter training.
Sometimes, he would wake up with aching muscles, but he would still head to the gym. “Minsan pupunta ako kahit ayaw ko talaga. Pag nando’n na kasi ako, may gagawin ako kahit sobrang maliit na bagay, kahit stretching, konting warm-ups.” That would get his blood flowing, and before he knows it, he’s already practicing on his favorite apparatuses: floor and vault, where he won his Olympic golds.
His favorite warm-up is the triple twist, which is not really easy to do, but it has become his go-to exercise since he was training it as a junior.
“Palagi kong pinapaalalahanan ‘yung sarili ko kung ano na ba ang goal ko. Kahit hindi na ‘yung sa future, kahit today lang. Ano ‘yung makakapagpadagdag ng percentage ng success rate para sa future. Kahit one percent lang today, kahit 0.1 percent lang today, ayos na ‘yun. Basta pumunta ka,” he tells Esquire Philippines.
Joseph Pascual
Breakdancing at a Playground in Leveriza
“Kala ko nga po ‘yung gymnastics before [parang] karate, yung mga gano’n,” recalls Caloy, who, at the age of seven, had no idea what gymnastics was.
Back in 2007, breakdancing was popular, and all he and his playmates wanted to do was imitate the stunts they would see on videos. They tried out all kinds of tricks in a public playground in front of Manila Zoo along Leveriza Street in Malate. Little did they know that they were already doing basic gymnastics skills, like back handspring, backward salto, front salto, side aerial, and Arabian. A friend of a friend eventually told them that they should get into gymnastics.
“Sabi namin, ano po ba yung gymnastics? Siyempre, mga bata po kami.”
Caloy’s grandfather brought them to the nearby Rizal Memorial Coliseum, opening the seven-year-old’s eyes to this stunning world of flips and twists as well as precision and artistry.
“At that time, wala rin po kasi kaming budget na mag-walk-ins ng training. So, punta lang po kami nang punta kahit hindi kami makapapasok. Tumatakas po kami sa mga guards.”
One day, the head of the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines noticed these 17 rowdy boys watching from behind the gates and copying some stunts by the rails. Realizing that the group could bust a move, Caloy and his friends were told to return the next day and start their gymnastics training for free.
“Yun ‘yung hindi ko makakalimutan kasi may tumanggap sa amin. Pinag-practice kami nang libre, instead na pagbayarin pa po kami. Ang dami po namin e, 17 po kami. Masaya ako na may tumanggap, and, syempre, pinapasok po kami lahat doon.”
By 2009, Caloy started competing at the Palarong Pambansa in Tacloban, Leyte, where he won the silver medal in the floor exercise. He went on to compete in the following years (and bag several medals) in the local competition, with his last being the one held in Dumaguete in 2013.
Joseph Pascual
Finding a Role Model
Caloy’s passion for the sport was further fueled when he watched Japanese artistic gymnast Kohei Uchimura on television during the 2012 London Olympics.
“Siya po yung naging inspiration ko po and idol. Sa kanya nag-start na mangarap po ako na makapunta rin sa Olympics and makapag-uwi din ng medals,” he explains.
Uchimura, who is now retired, is a seven-time Olympic medalist and a 21-time World medalist.
What ultimately fascinated Caloy was not just the technical mastery in gymnastics but also the artistry that the sport entails.
“Kahit pare-pareho sila ng ginagawa, iba-iba ang galaw,” he observes. “Pagandahan talaga ng movements.”
After joining the national team to represent the Philippines, Yulo started joining international competitions as a junior: the 2014 ASEAN School Games, the 2014 Pacific Rim Championships, the 2015 International Junior Competition, and others.
On Carlos: Suit by Dior, available at Greenbelt 5
Joseph Pascual
Training in Japan: A Game Changer
Dreaming to make it to the Olympics someday, Caloy (with zero hesitation) moved to Japan at the age of 16 to train under Munehiro Kugimiya, his coach since 2013.
“Nag-decide po na dalhin ako sa Japan kasi mas maganda ‘yung opportunities. Para sa’kin, maganda ‘yung magiging experience. Kasi yung environment and facilities nila sobrang layo po talaga kapag i-compare niyo dito sa Pilipinas. And siguro yung culture ng sports, ‘yung wala po siguro tayo dito sa Pilipinas, especially sa gymnastics,” he explains.
But it wasn’t easy.
While he enjoyed his first three months, reality started kicking in. He lamented being away from his friends and loved ones, was challenged by the language barrier, and faced difficulty adapting to the Japanese culture.
“Sa trainings, nahirapan din po ako talaga. Kasi iba ‘yung naging training ko din doon. Pukpukan po talaga. Kung pukpukan po ‘yung naging training ko dito before parang nag-triple po doon. So, grabe ‘yung stress din po.”
But Caloy said the sacrifices were all worth it, as they helped build his personality and character, given the difference in sports culture in Japan. He was able to develop the patience and discipline needed to become a high-caliber athlete.
Caloy is laser-focused on his training, and when he’s not in the gym, he’s just trying to complete his six hours of sleep. Sometimes, sure, he gets to play mobile games (but he’s almost always tired after a full day, and we totally understand).
“Yung iba, hindi kaya na hindi kompleto ‘yung tulog. Ako naman, hindi ko kaya kapag sobra ‘yung tulog ko. Okay na po sa akin ‘yung six hours.”
Joseph Pascual
Enjoying the Journey, Making Mistakes
For him, the path that took him from the streets of Malate to the international arena in Paris is far more valuable than two Olympic golds combined.
“Hindi talaga ako tumitingin sa results, more on sa moment po and ‘yung naging experience, kung paano ko siya na-execute, paano ako natuto sa pagkakamali. Try po nang try. Mas mabigat po kaysa sa end result lang. Nando’n po sa journey lahat talaga.”
Caloy has achieved milestones many athletes only dream of, including his two Olympic gold medals. Despite the accolades, he remains grounded.
“Hindi po expected talaga ‘yung result. Kahit ‘yung gold medal na dalawa po, hindi po siya talaga expected e. Humihiling po talaga kami na sana maka-medal lang ako kahit bronze, kahit silver. Sobrang laking goal na po ‘yun para sa amin. Pero yung makakuha po ng gold, tapos kinabukasan gold po ulit. Hindi po siya expected e.”
And the after-effect was equally, if not more, overwhelming. It was fulfilling for him that gymnastics is finally getting the attention it needs in Philippine sports, especially as kids are expressing interest. More importantly, he has become an inspiration, much like how he was inspired by seeing Uchimura on TV.
“Maging magaling sa ginagawa nila, maging grateful sa kung ano ‘yung makukuha nila na resulta, and maging grateful sa magiging experience nila while doing ‘yung gusto nilang gawin sa buhay. Ayun ‘yung gusto kong message po na maibigay sa kanila, na i-enjoy yung pagiging atleta kasi mahirap na nga yung ginagawa natin, malungkot ka pa. Try natin yung best natin na i-enjoy yung nakakapagpasaya sa atin,” he advises young athletes.
Joseph Pascual
Looking Ahead
Caloy admits that there’s now less pressure for him since he has already achieved his long-time dream of not only making it to the Olympics but also winning not one but two Olympic golds. Still, that doesn’t stop him from training every day, preparing for the qualifications, and focusing on another category: the individual all-around.
“And I’ll give my best po, as always, na makapag-medal ulit. And of course, ma-enjoy po talaga ‘yung moment na ‘yun.”
